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Armen Sargsyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to the United Kingdom who also served as Armenia's Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997, agreed to become the presidential candidate from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA). Sargsyan announced about his decision today at a meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan.

To remind, Armen Sargsyan who was named as RPA candidate for presidency at the January 18 sitting of the party Executive Board, earlier requested a time from Serzh Sargsyan to consider the proposal of being named as a candidate for the Armenia's next president after consultations with different political forces, representatives of scientific, intellectual, social, charitable organizations, business circles as well as the Artsakh leadership and members of Diaspora structures. 

"Once again I saw there is still a lot of work ahead," Armen Sargsyan said at a meeting today, adding: " I would certainly agree with You, Mr President, that if elected, I will try to bring my contribution in the future to the foreign affairs, foreign economic matters, to attracting investments, but what I deem as  important  - to consolidation of national unity as well as to the Armenia-Diaspora relations."

According to the release, Armen Sargsyan next outlined education sphere and civil society as two priority areas where he as a future president could contribute.

"As a great nation but at the same time a relatively small country we can move forward and develop only through strengthening the civil society and encouraging the spirit of the citizen. Therefore, it is vital for every citizen of our country to rediscover the faith, hope and launch an open and fair dialogue involving all layers of the society," Sargsyan noted.

At the end Armen Sargsyan expressed confidence he is able to do everything to live up to the high responsibility put upon him not disappoint the expectations of the fellow countrymen be they in Armenia, Artsakh, or Diaspora. 

To note, Armenia will transfer to the parliamentary system of government in April, according to the new constitution adopted in referendum held in in 2015. According to the new constitution the president with mostly ceremonial role is going to be elected for 7 years by the National Assembly. It is expected, that the National Assembly where RPA holds majority will elect the fourth president by March 9, 2018, and the new prime minister after April 9.